Recently there has been a lot of talk about a "reshoring" movement from China to North America. The BCG announced last year that more than a third of large American manufacturers (more than $1 billion in sales) are considering reshoring … [Read more...]
Archives for 2013
5 good articles about buying from, and selling into, China
As usual, I kept a list of interesting articles to share with my readers. Here are the last five I found. 7 steps to make China industrial sourcing successful Etienne Charlier gives us the main steps he follows, for effective sourcing … [Read more...]
6 ways Chinese suppliers can cheat importers
This is the second part of the presentation I gave a group of Chinese suppliers. The first part, about the initial sourcing phase, is here. I made a list of the most common ways foreign buyers are cheated in China. My message was, … [Read more...]
When to ship LCL rather than FCL? Advice for importers.
Some importers try to optimize their freight costs. They always make sure they will fill a container up. Most buyers, however, simply buy what they need. They don't want to carry extra inventory that might not get sold. If they have, … [Read more...]
When importers forget to specify product details
I got a great comment from fellow blogger Jacob Yount on a previous article. I thought it was worthy of being republished here. Here is Jacob's piece of advice to Chinese suppliers: I'd advise suppliers "not to fill in the blanks". This … [Read more...]
Initial sourcing phase: advice to Chinese suppliers
Global Sources invited me to speak to a group of suppliers in Shantou last week. My speech was part of a forum on "export strategies", designed to broaden the average exporter's perspectives. Here is the first part of what I had to tell … [Read more...]
Challenges of Chinese exporters: price, price, price.
Global Sources surveyed 1,546 Chinese suppliers, and came out with this nice infographic. I find it a bit depressing. Are they worried about their customers' strict quality standards? Nope. Is the respect of shipping deadlines one of … [Read more...]
Buying in Fujian province
I spent the last few days in Fujian province. I had not come to this part of china for more than 2 years. Fujian is the coastal province that faces Taiwan. It has theĀ 9th per capita GDP of China -- much lower than neighboring coastal … [Read more...]
Letters of credit when buying in China: the basics
I published an article in the latest edition of China Law and Practice. The objective is to provide importers with the basics they need to know about letters of credit. In my experience, it is one of the most under-utilized tools in … [Read more...]
5 good articles of interest to importers
I have found five good articles of interest to importers recently. Here they are, in no particular order. 5 Key Indicators of a Good Chinese Supplier Andrew Reich, a friend a real expert in China manufacturing & QC, gives us a … [Read more...]